Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Pangi Valley Ride (The Great Himalayan Ride)


The great Himalayan Ride is a break from the busy and Iconic- Leh-Manali hghway, every single bike enthusiast in India or around the world, would ride up to Ladakh since its the "world highest motor able road". But the real ride and real fun is always ailleur!

Yes, indeed "Pangi valley is the hidden playground for the off-road lovers, our friends from England come over last year to experience this thrilling ride.  They landed at Delhi Airport and took the early morning train from Delhi to Chandighar and continued with toy train to Shimla.
 we commenced our ride from Shimla and ridden the hole narrow but stunning Satluj valley followed up to Sangla valley via ancient Hindu temple at Sharan.
Buddhi on the way to Pangi Valley-Kalyad village.
 The ideal month to ride this scenic road is Jun either October, early spring ride will be demanding and almost impossible to cross the high pass due to the snow over the pass and road would be completely damaged by the winter avalanches, monsoon threads great deal of land wash outs, since the valley is very narrow, due to any nature uncertainly there will be stonefalls, so make sure that your helmets is strong enough before you jump on this ride.

Landscape wise, Delhi to Shimla-Kinnaur valley, its lush green scenery, landscape changes devastatingly once you leave the Kinnaur valley. Upper Kinnaur is semi-desert, but the Spiti valley is completely altitude desert, 
The beautiful Spiti valley is also rewarded as the "Little Tibet in India) The arid-landscape and ancient Buddhist monasteries, will make you doubtful weather you are riding in India or Tibet. Tiny hamlets are impressive people are harmonious, they are always ready to give you hand in case of any emergency!
Buddhi on the way to Pangi valley.
we ride by small villages and the roads where people would barely ride, I remember on our last ride a local man from the village come over and asked. What is the point to ride such dangerous roads? Where is the fun to ride, there is not even a single hotel or good restaurant where you have good food.
meanwhile he was wondering about our back-up jeep, which was full of our camping equipments and the kitchen cooking material, foods & drinks.
That's true there is no luxury hotels or restaurants on the off road ride. But our kitchen crew will take you beyond the comfort of a five star trip. we cook amazing food in the nature and portable bar just makes it absolute fun in middle of nowhere!
The Pangi valley is narrow and surrendered by the high sky touching mountain, road is just perfect for the off-road fun & run.
one has to be very careful while tackling the road, one mistake will lead you deep down to the bank of 'Chinaw river". Its breathtaking beautiful, the road to Sach Pass is lush green meadows, it reminds me the French Alps.The HAUTE SAVOIE!!


Buddhi and Rahul pointing the overnight destination



The other side of Sach Pass offers an amazing view on Chamba valley, known for its folklore culture and amazing hospitality. The downhill ride through lush green valley is just soul-reviving, water stream crossings and mesmerizing cascades, ride through the deep forest of Pine tress and silver okays, Rhododendrons  makes it haven. we camp overnight in such silences, where you can listen your own heartbeats. Night chitchat around campfire about the day ride makes it just more memorable ride, we stop by the small villages where we can visit the local populations or the schools, sharing few moments with kids, since we do carry for study materials to give them to the kids.
While riding by Chamba town, we will stop to visit some ancient Hindu temples before we take our road up to overnight accommodation at Dhalousi.
Dhalousi is one of the most visited hill station by Indian tourists, it's a perfect escape from hot Indian summer. we end our trip at Dharmsala, the residence of HH the 14th Dalai Lama.